KBC Research Shows 41pc of Irish Consumers Plan Home Improvements

April 13, 2017

Updated: Oct. 13, 2017

Looking for Home Improvement Ideas?

New research released by KBC Bank Ireland shows that Irish consumers are on a home improvement buzz. There are good reasons for this trend as rates are low and an influx of good workers are available for hire locally and nearby.

A total of 41pc of Irish consumers are planning to tackle home improvements over the next 12–18 months. With a further 23pc having just completed home improvement work in the past year.

A desire to freshen up the home (63pc) and create more storage space (30pc) are among the main reasons for upcoming home improvements.

Almost one-third (32pc) of prospective DIY-ers said they want to invest in their home as they plan to stay there for a few years yet.

Among those who carried out improvements in the past year, 28pc had done so to increase their home’s energy efficiency.

The majority (68pc) are planning to spend up to €5,000 on home improvements, while 32pc are expecting to pay more than that.

The number of customers planning to use a personal loan to finance their home improvements has doubled in the last year to 8pc. Furthermore, 5pc planning to put the cost on credit card and 69pc still intending to fund their home improvements from savings.

Home Improvement Quotes and Roofing Leads

Looking to spend wisely, 73pc of consumers are planning to shop around for home improvement quotes, roofing leads, and similar behavior of those who carried out work in the past 12 months when 77pc confirmed that they had compared quotes for the job. Be smart, wise and diligent in your search.

To assist DIY-ers, KBC has launched a home improvement loan that offers loans from €1,500 up to a maximum of €50,000. See your local branch for details.

For ideas, here is an Irish 19th-century cottage conversion and extension. This is an old Irish barn which was converted over a year period of time. You will see the process from start to finish and from many different angles. Just click below to start the video.